Duterte wins! SC upholds legality of martial law in Mindanao

The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed on Tuesday its July 4 ruling upholding the legality of President Duterte’s imposition of martial law in war-torn Marawi City.

This as the high Court, in a 10-3-1 vote, junked the motion for reconsideration of martial law oppositors for lack of merit. The SC said there was sufficient factual basis for martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Marawi City following the Maute group attacks last May 23.

Also the high court admitted that the power to determine the scope martial law belongs to the President and that there is no constitutional provision that such emergency power should be implemented only in the place where actual rebellion exists.